Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Thomas Gottschalk Discloses Rare Cancer, Halts Performances

The 75-year-old says side effects from opioid pain treatment following two surgeries explain his recent disoriented award-show appearances.

Overview

  • Gottschalk revealed in a Bild interview that he has an epitheloid angiosarcoma, making his illness public after weeks of speculation about his condition.
  • His wife said surgeons removed parts of a ureter and the bladder during a major operation in July, followed by a second procedure after further cancerous tissue was found.
  • He remains on strong opioid painkillers, which the couple say led to confusion seen at the Bambi gala and Austria’s Romy awards.
  • Gottschalk stated he cannot continue performing and must focus on recovery, leaving his planned RTL farewell appearance on December 6 uncertain.
  • He said he kept recent commitments because of longstanding obligations, and doctors advised against skipping medication despite its cognitive side effects.